In the News

Press Release: Six More Members of the House Lend Support to Barr-Tonko Bill

October 13, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) announced today that six additional members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed on in support of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 (THIA). They are Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), David Joyce (R-OH), Jerold Nadler (D-NY), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).

“The growing number of co-sponsors supporting this bill is an illustration of its wide appeal, across party lines and state lines,” said Staci Hancock, co-founder of the Water Hay Oats Alliance, one of the member organizations of the CHRI. “The racing community continues to advocate for uniform standards and a level playing field for interstate horse racing through independent oversight by USADA. We are proud that this bill continues to gather support, and value the leadership each of our co-sponsors demonstrates in backing this critical legislation.”

THIA, or H.R.3084, is the only legislative proposal with active support across a wide range of stakeholders that make up America’s horse racing community. The new co-sponsors, comprising an even split between Democrats and Republicans, represent districts from six states across the country, demonstrating the widespread support THIA continues to earn on Capitol Hill.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country to create uniform, high standards in drug and medication testing and enforcement for Thoroughbred horse racing.Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.